Research Associate, Public Health

Heluna Health invites applications for a Research Associate position in the Center for Public Health Research (CPHR) at the San Francisco Department of Public Health. CPHR is a research unit that engages in a wide range of public health research including studies of populations at high risk for HIV infection. CPHR has developed methods and strategies for tracking the HIV epidemic that have been used locally and around the globe since the 1980s.

The CPHR Investigators are global leaders in the epidemiology of HIV infection, HIV research training methods, and informing HIV prevention approaches.

In this role, the Research Associate will support social epidemiological research within CPHR with a focus on people who use drugs. The Research Associate will receive training and experience in various aspects of conducting epidemiological studies with populations most affected by HIV and disease areas with high health disparities in the San Francisco Bay Area. This position requires flexibility, adaptability, and strong organizational and interpersonal skills to navigate between different protocols and timelines.

The ideal candidate will be comfortable working with people in the community and have some knowledge of principles of harm reduction and/or HIV. The Research Associate will assist with locating participants through various retention methods, survey interviewing in long and short form, HIV and HCV rapid testing, providing health education, and scheduling participant appointments. The work schedule will include afternoons, evenings, and weekends to meet the needs of study participants.

Opportunities for exposure to public health research and engagement in harm reduction training will be offered.

This is a temporary, in person, grant-funded, full-time, benefitted position. Employment is provided by Heluna Health.

Pay Rate: $27.43 per hour

• Conduct study interviews, educate potential participants about the study, obtain informed consent, and schedule participant appointments
• Conduct interviews in-person, by phone and on the street
• Engage in and develop creative strategies for locating participants for follow‑up through various retention methods
• Maintain and document outreach and recruitment metrics daily with attention to accuracy
• Engage with internal colleagues in our building, at the SFDPH and external community‑based organization stakeholders
• Provide linkage to and appropriate referrals for health and social services in the San Francisco Bay Area

• Contribute to other Center for Public Health Research projects, as needed
• Perform other office duties

• Desired experience and/or training in public health and/or epidemiological research, including one or more of the following areas: conducting survey interviews, human subjects research, including obtaining informed consent and maintaining confidential records in a research environment, and conduct of social and behavioral research. Training will be provided.
• HIV test counseling certification is preferred but not required. Training will be provided.

• Knowledge of, sensitivity to, and experience working with diverse communities. Experience working in harm reduction settings is a plus.
• Willingness to conduct outreach and street survey intercepts out in the community
• Strong commitment to effective communication and interpersonal interactions
• Organized and detailed oriented to meet specifics of research protocols
• Knowledge of San Francisco and Oakland’s community‑based organizations and service providers preferred
• Fluency in Spanish a plus
• Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and good judgment

• Stand Frequently
• Walk Frequently
• Sit Frequently
• Handling / Finger Sticking Occasionally
• Reach Outward Occasionally
• Reach Above Shoulder Occasionally
• Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend Occasionally
• Lift / Carry Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs
• Push/Pull Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs
• See Constantly
• Taste/ Smell Not Applicable

Heluna Health is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer that encourages minorities, women, veterans, and…